Advancing Fort Collins with Innovation, Digital Equity and Smart Governance

Kevin Wilkins, Chief Information Officer, the City of Fort Collins

Strengthening Public Services through Innovation and Resilience

I have always been passionate about driving meaningful change. With a diverse background in business leadership, psychology, and technology—a rare “unicorn” skill set—I have led transformative initiatives that create lasting impact in organizations. My career began in the private sector, working with Fortune 100 companies, but I felt drawn to something greater—serving a community directly. Moving to public service as the CIO of Fort Collins gave me that opportunity.

When I joined the city at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, everything changed. Instead of a traditional onboarding process, I found myself navigating an immediate crisis. My role shifted from focusing on a long-term strategy to responding quickly to the urgent needs of residents and businesses. That experience reinforced my belief that technology should serve people first, helping them adapt and thrive in difficult times.

Over the past five years, my mission has been to modernize city operations, making Fort Collins safer, more efficient and more inclusive. I have prioritized not only cybersecurity but also how we use data to improve services and engage with the community to ensure their voices are heard.

A Vision for a Connected and Inclusive City

From day one, I have focused on making government services more accessible. The city serves a diverse population, and it is my responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind when we implement new technologies or policies. By strengthening digital services and improving access to real-time information, I have worked to create a seamless experience for residents, businesses and visitors alike.

I believe in breaking down silos within government and forming strong partnerships with private organizations, academic institutions and other municipalities. By sharing ideas and working together, we can solve problems more effectively. Collaboration has allowed us to introduce innovative programs that enhance daily life, improve security and make city services more efficient.

“CIOs must evolve beyond IT service providers to become business leaders and change agents, driving transformation through innovation, collaboration and a commitment to digital equity”

One of the biggest lessons I have learned is that success in government isn’t just about technology or data—it’s about people. Our residents expect transparency, ease of access and responsiveness. By focusing on their needs, we create a city that is more inclusive and better equipped for the future.

Leading Through Change and Uncertainty

Leadership, to me, is about guiding teams through transformation and ensuring that innovation benefits everyone. It’s about challenging outdated processes, embracing new approaches and, most importantly, creating a culture of trust and collaboration.

One of my biggest focus areas has been leveraging artificial intelligence and predictive analytics to enhance decision-making and improve public services. AI is a powerful tool that can provide deeper insights, enhance cybersecurity and optimize city operations. However, we must implement these technologies responsibly, ensuring data privacy and eliminating bias in decision-making processes.

Another major challenge is cybersecurity, which remains a growing concern at all levels—local, national and global. With threats evolving rapidly, my team has worked tirelessly to strengthen our security posture, ensuring the city’s infrastructure remains resilient. Along with this, we have focused on modernizing our operational technology systems, bridging the gap between physical and digital assets.

The Road Ahead

As I look to the future, I see incredible opportunities for Fort Collins. Our city is growing and with that growth comes the need for smarter infrastructure, better public services and stronger community engagement. My goal is to continue pushing forward initiatives that simplify interactions between residents and the government, making processes more intuitive and efficient.

I want to ensure that Fort Collins remains a model for how cities can harness technology while staying deeply connected to the people they serve. Whether improving emergency response systems, making data-driven decisions that enhance sustainability, or fostering deeper civic engagement, I always focus on creating a better, more connected future for all.

Advice for Fellow CIOs and Financial Professionals

For my fellow CIOs and financial professionals, my advice is simple: embrace innovation, foster collaboration, and stay committed to building a culture that prioritizes digital equity. CIOs today must recognize that their roles extend beyond IT service providers—they are business leaders and change agents. By actively engaging with other CIOs, sharing best practices, and challenging the status quo, they can drive real transformation. Building strong partnerships within the organization and across industries is essential to ensuring technology enables progress. It’s equally important to stay ahead of emerging trends like AI and cyber threats. By fostering a forward-thinking mindset, investing in people, and prioritizing customer-centric services, CIOs can create lasting, meaningful impacts for their communities. The most successful leaders today are those who leverage technology while ensuring it benefits every member of the community they serve.